Apple iPhone 5 Features: 5 Reasons Why the New Larger Screen Could Be a Game-changer

from /www.booksnreview.com:

>>5) Advanced Haptics: This feature may be a long-shot to make it to the iPhone 5, but if Apple managed to pull this one off, this next iPhone could be the best smartphone experience ever created.
By making the phone's screen process thinner and stronger, Apple could potentially implement one of its patents for a new haptics feedback system, which would allow users to physically interact with their content by touching it -- an experience which would be accomplished with sensors and actuators working simultaneously.
Apple's multi-tiered system is extremely sophisticated: Using several layers of elastic screens stacked on top of each other, Apple's screen can produce 3D buttons or objects to interact with, as well as give texture to images, like topographical maps, but only when they're needed. This technology is currently being explored by another company, Tactus Technology, which created a video to explain how it all works.

Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 and A2107 Hands-On: Haptic Feedback, Great Widgets

from http://blog.laptopmag.com/

>> Our favorite feature of the IdeaTab S2109 is its haptic feedback. Where most Android phones provide a pleasant but optional tactile buzz as you type and hit navigation buttons, most Android tablets lack this functionality. With the IdeaTab 2109, it’s on by default, giving users a better simulation of a real keyboard as they type on a virtual one.

Bob Heubel is a haptic technology evangelist with IMMR

from www.dmwmedia.com

>> Bob Heubel is a haptic technology evangelist with Immersion Corporation. He specializes in helping game developers implement feedback effects that players can literally feel, adding touch to the sights and sounds of gaming on smartphones and tablets. Heubel put his mobile device down just long enough to answer Five Questions.

Direct Edge to Relocate Disaster Recovery Facilities to Equinix CH4 Data Center in Chicago

Build Out to be Completed in the 4th Quarter of 2013

 

 

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Aug 30, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Direct Edge(R), one of the world's leading equities exchange operators, announces it has signed an agreement with Equinix, Inc. EQIX +0.86% , a provider of global data center services, to re-locate the disaster recovery facilities for EDGA Exchange and EDGX Exchange to Equinix's Chicago 4 (CH4) International Business Exchange(TM) (IBX(R)) data center. Scheduled to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2013, Direct Edge anticipates the new site will enhance its business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities by providing geographic diversity in the event of a disruption that impacts its primary facility at the Equinix NY4 data center in Secaucus, New Jersey.

"Continuous operation in even the most difficult of circumstances is a core pillar of investor confidence," said Saro Jahani, Chief Information Officer for Direct Edge. "Not only is the Equinix CH4 site a world-class data center already used by many of our members, its location will complement Direct Edge's primary facility by providing geographic diversity in the event of broad unavailability of our New Jersey facilities. Equinix has been a valued partner of Direct Edge since before the launch of our exchanges in 2010, and we are honored to expand our relationship with them."

"Equinix is pleased to provide Direct Edge with the redundancy, security, and connectivity it requires to deliver the performance and support its members demand," said John Knuff, general manager, global financial services at Equinix. "Direct Edge has access to a rich ecosystem of trading participants and connectivity options inside its primary deployment at NY4, and with its expansion to CH4 market participants in Chicago will have access to Direct Edge locally."

Direct Edge currently uses a data center facility in Clifton, N.J., as the DR site for the backup facilities of the EDGA and EDGX Exchanges. A detailed migration and implementation schedule will be distributed to members and trading participants in due course. 

 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/direct-edge-to-relocate-disaster-recovery-facilities-to-equinix-ch4-data-center-in-chicago-2012-08-30

National Securities - PANL

from Barrons: 

>>Update: In an update to the note, Liu states that for touch-feedback technology maker Immersion (IMMR), “For Immersion, this may be a positive for the company. The Apple-Samsung verdict sends a strong message about patent infringement.”

Nokia patents haptic system to simulate linear motion, assist with navigational route guidance

from Engadget: 

>>Given the company's other research in the field of haptic systems, it seems Nokia's future may be full of good vibrations, indeed.

Data Center Related Stocks Jump On Earnings, But Close A Mixed July

Read the whole article at Seeking Alpha: 

>>Data center related stocks closed a mixed month in July 2012, in spite of several positive performances after earnings, as most companies beat analysts' expectations both for revenues and earnings.

July performance

Here is a quick look at how all companies under our radar screen performed in July 2012:

Samsung: 10 million Galaxy Notes have been sold, worldwide

from Engadget: 

>>Samsung's got more reasons to celebrate today than just the release of its latest pen-friendly tablet -- the company also let it be known that it has managed to sell 10 Million Galaxy Note devices, globally.

Paulson & Co. Strong Likes Equinix,

from www.valuewalk.com:

>>New Positions

Paulson initiated two major positions in JPMorgan Chase & Co.(NYSE:JPM) with 4 million shares Equinix Inc (NASDAQ:EQIX) with 1.03 million shares, these holdings now make up 1.19 and 1.49 percent of the portfolio.

Force feedback could be the sequel to the touchscreen craze

from http://venturebeat.com/:

>>Ramstein believes forecasts that predict that 60 percent of smartphones will have advanced haptics by 2015.
By advanced, Ramstein means technology that vibrates in multiple locations, produces localized sounds, is integrated with a sensor, and supports multiple finger touches. It has to bend with a device and be both ultralight and flexible. Ramstein said that his modules have a response time of under 1 millisecond, making them faster, more elastic, and more forceful than competing technologies such as piezoceramic or elastomer. It is less than 50 microns thick (a micron is a millionth of a meter) and weighs less than a gram.

Jamba Juice launches ‘at home’ Greek yogurt smoothies

from http://www.foodbev.com

>> US juice bar business Jamba Juice has launched Jamba ‘At Home’ Smoothies combining non-​fat Greek yogurt with on-​trend super fruits.

HandyGames adds haptic feedback to Bulldozer, Guns'n'Glory WW2, and Farm Invasion

from http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk

>> German studio HandyGames has just added Immersion's Haptic Development Platform to the Android versions of Bulldozer, Guns'n'Glory WW2, and Farm Invasion, which means they now boast touch feedback.

Gartner: Global Mobile Sales Down 2%, Smartphones Surge 43%

from http://techcrunch.com:

>>The picture is different for the world leader: buoyed by its strong sales in smartphones (over half of all devices sold by Samsung) and feature phones, Samsung is playing the game perfectly. It improved its market by nearly five percentage points to 21.6% marketshare, working out to over 90 million units sold. The distance between Samsung/Nokia and the rest of the pack is big at the moment. Apple comes in third but a ways behind with 29 million units. That shows how challenging the mobile market, which needs to operate at scale to be profitable, is at the moment for the majority of the industry.

Equinix Opens New NY5 Facility - Expect Accelerated Revenue Growth

Read the whole article at Seeking Alpha: 

>>Equinix (EQIX) is opening its brand new NY5 data center in the New York metro area, a facility that is expected to respond to strong market demand from its financial customers at a time when the other IBX data centers in the region have reached full capacity.
In this article, we'll go through the background of Equinix's presence in the NY area and strength in the financial vertical, as well as examine what the new opening may mean for the company in the long term.

Equinix's Presence in the New York Metro Area

Excluding the new NY5 facility, the company is operating seven data centers in the New York metro area, located both in Manhattan or in the so-called New Jersey doughnut -- a 30 kilometer to 70 kilometer circle around New York.

Immersion Disappoints, Hints At Potential Settlements For Basic Haptics

Read the whole article at Seeking Alpha

>>Last week on Thursday evening, Immersion Corporation (IMMR) delivered disappointing Q2 2012 results, below consensus and management's expectation as far as revenues. The company widened its guidance for 2012, to incorporate both the possibility of a result inferior to previous expectations, as well as potential upside from Basic Haptics royalty agreements/settlements before year's end.

First, a quick look at some of the highlights from Q2 2012 earnings:

TeleCity Group delivers a solid 1H 2012, acquires Tenue Oy, a Finnish data centre operator

Read the whole post at TR: 

>>Today, TeleCity Group announced its results for the first half of 2012.


In line with expectations, the company delivered solid growth both in revenues and EBITDA.

Here is a quick look at some of the highlights:

What RIM Must Do to Make BlackBerry 10 a Success

from www.techvibes.com:

>>A MOBILE GAMER'S DREAM
The newest Samsung devices can utilize the world leader in haptics technology known as Immersion. Around since 1993, it has Montreal and San Jose offices. Haptic technology allows for “feel” when you press a touchscreen. Samsung's latest models demoed haptic gaming at the latest Google I/O conference in California, making an experience similar to that of the PlayStation controller that vibrates while you play.
RIM must come up with something awesome on the gaming side to attract both developers and more youthful technology oriented consumers. Sony's newest product allowed for PS3 games to be played on the new VITA via a Wi-Fi connection, but was everything except a phone. Immersion has released a mobile SDK.

Trends and shipment forecast for 2H 2012 smartphone market

from DIGITIMES: 

>>Global smartphone shipments will top 630 million units in 2012, representing on-year growth of 35%, which is more more moderate annual growth than seen in previous years. Smartphone shipments in 2010 and 2011 both enjoyed growth of more than 60%. Growth will decelerate in 2012 due to the high base, as well as a slowdown in consumer spending in Western Europe.

In the second half of the year, global smartphone shipments will reach 344 million units and quarterly shipments during 2012 will register sequential growth through the last quarter of the year. The shipment ratio for the first and second halves of 2012 is estimated at 4.5:5.5.

Quarterly shipments during 2012 will manage on-year growth through the last quarter of the year. But the growth will slow at a gradual pace and likely decelerate to 22% in the fourth quarter.

Immersion upgraded to Hold from Sell at Capstone

from www.theflyonthewall.com:

>>Capstone upgraded Immersion based on valuation.

Data Center Related Stocks Halftime Post-Earnings Performance: Solid Uptrend

Read the whole article at Seeking Alpha: 

>>Half of the stocks under our coverage in the data center related sector reported earnings last week, including the companies that are considered the bellwethers for the network-neutral, REIT and CDN sub-sectors, Equinix (EQIX), Digital Realty (DLR) and Akamai (AKAM), respectively.
Before reporting the highlights for each of them, here is a short summary of how all companies performed in term of Y/Y growth, and against analysts' expectations: